Key Highlights

  • Fiscal 2026 total diluted loss was USD 3.70 a share against a loss of USD 1.22, and the continuing-operations loss of USD 3.50 included a non-cash Goodwill Impairment charge of USD 149 million.
  • Fourth-quarter Revenue rose 5% to USD 167 million, or 2% organic, with GAAP diluted EPS of USD 0.14 from continuing operations and adjusted diluted EPS of USD 0.28 against USD 0.21.
  • Fiscal 2027 revenue is guided to USD 648 million to USD 660 million, with organic growth of 3% to 5% and adjusted EBITDA Margin expansion of 200 to 250 basis points.
  • The company held USD 506 million of cash, restricted cash and marketable securities and repurchased 4.4 million shares for USD 118.2 million in fiscal 2026, leaving USD 131.8 million of authorization.

Goodwill Charge Turns Fiscal 2026 Into a Loss

Azenta (NASDAQ:AZTA) reported fourth-quarter and full-year results for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2026 on November 10, 2026. Full-year revenue from continuing operations was USD 622 million, up 5% and 2% organic, but the GAAP operating loss was USD 174.7 million, compared with a 4.5% negative margin a year earlier. Operating expenses rose 51% to USD 450 million, mainly from the USD 149 million non-cash goodwill impairment. Adjusted diluted EPS was USD 0.48 against USD 0.51, and adjusted EBITDA was USD 58.3 million, a 9.4% margin. Operating Cash Flow was USD 58 million and free cash flow USD 27 million.

Sample Management Grows While Multiomics Stalls

Azenta reports two segments, Sample Management Solutions and Multiomics. In the fourth quarter, Sample Management Solutions revenue was USD 94 million, up 9% and 4% organic, while Multiomics was flat at USD 73 million and down 1% organic on weaker Sanger and next generation sequencing, offset by gene synthesis. Gross margin was 46.0%, up 60 basis points, and adjusted EBITDA was USD 19.4 million, an 11.6% margin, down 140 basis points. Quality remediation in Automated Stores weighed on margin. The sale of B Medical Systems closed July 1, 2026, and a USD 35 million vendor Loan was repaid September 3.

Gene Synthesis Deals and the Fiscal 2027 Outlook

After year end, on October 28, 2026, the company signed a gene synthesis license and Supply deal with Elegen with fixed license payments of USD 23.0 million, and bought SynPlexity for USD 15.0 million in cash plus up to USD 10.0 million of contingent payments. Management said the margin outlook includes about 100 basis points of dilution from both and that fiscal 2027 is mainly integration. First-quarter guidance calls for organic growth of 3% to 4%, and free cash flow is expected to improve about 25% from USD 27 million. Risks include integration, Multiomics Demand and margin pressure from quality rework.

Where Things Stand

The loss is mostly an accounting charge, not a collapse in operations. Azenta (NASDAQ:AZTA) wrote down USD 149 million of goodwill, which pushed the GAAP loss to USD 3.70 a share, while adjusted EPS stayed positive at USD 0.48 for the year and rose in the fourth quarter. Growth is modest, at 2% organic, and the GAAP picture depends on future impairments not recurring. Watch the first-quarter guide of 3% to 4% organic growth, Multiomics trends, integration of the new gene synthesis Assets and buyback pace.